Formula 1 2013 Canadian Grand Prix – Sebastian Vettel Finally Masters Montreal
Qualifying Sebastian Vettel put Red Bull back on the front row in wet conditions to end Mercedes domination of pole position. It was intermediate tyres all round as the drivers went for the top spot, but as rain started to increase in the final sector towards the end of Q3 few could improve and it was Vettels first fast lap that did the job. Webber was disappointed to only get fifth place but hoped dry race conditions would help him. Mercedes were only just off as Lewis missed out on pole by under a tenth to take second place, with his final run ruined by missing the final chicane in the wet, disappointing as he was seven-tenths up and might have got it. Rosberg secured fourth, and though he was a little disappointed both drivers were happy with the car ahead of the race. Valtteri Bottas got into his first ever Q3 and then took a stunning third on the grid in the wet conditions, underlining the pace he had shown and bringing a huge boost to Williams. Maldonado was unlucky however as he had to abandon his lap for the red flag, then encountered traffic for his last run in Q2, ending up 13th despite improved pace. Ferrari had another disappointing qualifying as both drivers struggled to switch the tyres on for one-lap pace, meaning Alonso only grabbed sixth place. Massa clipped a white line into turn three in Q2 and dropped the rear end, sliding straight into the barriers, causing a red flag with two minutes to go and ending his session, relegating him to 16th. Both drivers hoped for a dry race where they could use their strong race pace to attack. Torro Rosso had a great session, getting both their cars into Q3, with Vergne securing a career-best seventh place in the tough conditions. Ricciardo wasnt happy with his car on the intermediates, but still got tenth, though was later penalised and dropped to 11th. Force Indias light-footed car didnt help them as they struggled to get tyre temperature, but that didnt stop Sutil from securing eighth place after a last-gasp dive into Q3 after the red flag. Di Resta had a gearbox software problem that cost him time, and as a result he was eliminated in Q1 for the second race in succession, ending up a frustrated 17th after all their promise. Lotus struggled for tyre temperatures in the cool, wet conditions like Ferrari and Force India, and as a result Raikkonen could only bag ninth place, which then became tenth as he was penalised for overtaking on the pit lane exit during Q2. Grosjean fared even worse, as the embattled Frenchman struggled to get a lap in during Q1, catching yellow flags and then the weather, putting him 19th. With his ten-place penalty from Monaco, he ended up dead last to add to his woes. Saubers Hulkenberg finished just outside the top ten in 11th place, and felt he might have made Q3 had his lap in Q2 not been interrupted last moment by the red flag. But it was much better than they expected, and with penalties ahead he started ninth. Gutierrez struggled with the conditions and only made 15th, hoping for a dry race ahead. McLaren found themselves out of luck as they were hampered by the flags and traffic, with Perez getting 12th and Button only managing 14th, missing the line for the end of Q2. They failed to make Q3 for the first time this year and hoped for a race of changing conditions to give them a chance for Sunday. Caterhams qualifying was of mixed fortunes as Pic found a good balance to take 20th place ahead of both Marussias and a Lotus. Van der Garde however couldnt find a good lap and made a mistake, meaning he ended up last, though starts 21st from Grosjeans penalty. Marussia tried the slick tyres in Q1, costing them valuable time as they switched to intermediate tyres, and despite their happiness with the car from practice neither Bianchi or Chilton were able to get a great lap in the slippery conditions, taking 20th and 21st respectively, and hoping for a dry race on Sunday.